It had barely started and already most of the men were clamoring around the barrels of mead that Jack had brought for the occasion. “Any reason to get drunk is all the men in this place need.” He commented to himself as he looked around. He nearly jumped when he felt someone tap his shoulder.
Looking over her found himself looking up at Mariah. She was wearing a comfy floral pattern sundress, and her long hair had been braided. “I thought this party was for you. Why are you sitting here by yourself?” Standing up, he found himself staring back. “You know. I just don’t find the appeal in getting drunk. I mean Moondew is delicious, it’s just too strong for me to enjoy it.”
“You always were an odd one.” Mariah said giggling.
A few of the townsfolk had gotten together and formed a band of sorts and started playing music. A happy festive tune drowned out all the idle chatter as people cleared a large area in the center. Couples entered the recently vacated space and started dancing altogether. Something akin to a square dance. Those that did not join in the dancing were off to the side clapping along and laughing.
As the song and dance progressed, Mariah grabbed Eldin’s hand and pulled him along into the throng, forcing him into the event. She started to laugh as she waited for Eldin to catch the beat and rhythm of the dance.
On the side, Lumina chuckled as she watched Eldin get pulled in and laughed harder when she saw he couldn’t get in sync quickly. Granted, he did match everyone else eventually. Taking a drink from her tankard, she continued to watch as Eldin embarrassed himself more.
Lumina was wearing the dress she had received yesterday, though none of the armor along with it. She had already received a few compliments on her newly acquired equipment. Even though everyone thought it was normal clothing.
Her ears twitched every now and then. A reflexive response to sudden loud sounds or high frequency noises. She didn’t even realize that Milli had already approached her from behind. Her usual heavy footsteps completely masked by the rowdiness of the party. “What do you think? Not a bad way to remember Woodvale before you leave off on your own.”
Lumina nearly jumped at the sudden sound of her mentor’s voice. A conditioned response that usually meant she needed to protect herself. “It’s really hard to pick up on anything when everything is this loud and chaotic.”
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“You better get used to it. Being able to pick out a sound in the middle of a busy crowd may save you from enemies later on down the road.” Mill replied while setting a hand on Lumina’s shoulder. “Any guys ask you out to the dancefloor yet?”
Shaking her head, she let out a sigh, “No. Though having you around probably doesn’t help either.” Lumina attempted a little bit of humor with her last comment. Her own self-conscious recognition of it never happening greatly reducing its mirth.
Milli could kind of relate to Lumina in being rejected yet accepted in a society. She had been brought from the Lost World by Adrok all those many years ago. Back when she was around twenty as well. Even after learning basic etiquette and the language, her size made all the men feel too awkward. In a world where males generally took on the role of a protector and provider. It was weird to deal with a woman that was not only taller, but stronger too.
The lost world is a massive continent comprising about 70% of the world’s land. However, all of society lives on a continent across the ocean protected by a continental barrier that had been erected by the gods to keep out the terrifying monsters that lived on the other side.
Then there was Adrok. He was the only man she knew that saw her as a person and not some freakishly giant woman. Whether or not she was, Milli appreciated the change in attitude towards her. She and Adrok had a mutual respect for each other. Elrin eventually came onto the scene and Milli once again found another man that also treated her like a normal human.
Looking down at Lumina, Milli felt bad for her poor little pup. She wanted to do something to help elevate her mood. Afterall, Elrin had reminded her that this party was for the kids. She couldn’t think of anything that would help off the top of her head.
A group of lumberjacks split off from the party and went back into town. They were apparently going to fetch something. At least that was what Lumina was able to glean through the festive air.
Milli chuckled and took a drink from Lumina’s moondew. “You could always ask a guy out to the dance instead.” Lumina shook her head at the idea. “That would make it even more awkward for them.” While Milli couldn’t refute Lumina’s statement, she really wanted to help her out. The problem was that she was not good at working through these types of situations.
If it was her, she would just pick a guy to dance with regardless of how they felt. If the man had enough courage to say no, she would respect it. But almost all men were too afraid to say anything against her. Especially those that got to know who she was. One of the main reasons she decided to tag along with Adrok and Elrin was because no matter how strong she was. Or how terrifying she could be. Those two always stood their ground and never gave an inch.
Despite her lack of skill in social situations, she was happy that she had raised Lumina well enough hold her own opinion. After all, if Lumina was able to say no to her, then there really wasn’t anyone else in the world her pupil wouldn’t speak up against.
The guys that had walked to town eventually came back with wood cutting tables, rope, and saws. Everyone already knew what they had in mind as they re-approached the party.